The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-05
SHOT In HIS OWN SALOON
Thomas Powers Is Dangerously Wound
ed Under Strange Circumstances.
The Only Witness of the Affair Says that the
Shot Was Fired by the Young Mans Fa-
Their, but Both Deny the Charge.

Shortly after IL o'clock last night Thomas
Powers was dangerously and perhaps fatally
shot in his saloon at No 81 South Illinois street.
By whom is not definitely known There were
three men in the saloon when the shot was
fired. They were Thomas Powers, his father
Merchant Policeman Martin Powers, and
Fred . Heiner, and the three do not
agree in their statements regarding the
offai-. When Captain Colbert and patrolman
Slate arrived at the saloon they found revolver.
with one cartridge empty, lying on the shelf be-
hind the bar. The ball entered Powers's body
above the right hip and to the right of the
spinal column. 1t passed just above the kidneys
and came out in the frot part of the abdomen.
The father and son were standing alone in the
saloon when Captain Colbert and the other
officers arrived. and both said they did not
know who did the shooting. Fred Heiner had
left the place. but returned. He at first
claimed that he did not know who fred the
shot. but finally said that Martin
Powers did the shooting. He stated that be-
tween IL and II o'clock he entered the saloon to
have a talk with Thomas Powers about some
business affairs. He found the father and son
there alone. Both were drinking. and did not
seem to be in a good humor They continued to
of which he did not understand. until they were
both very mad. Finally, Martin called his
Thomas liar. and the latter struck his father
over the hand with cane he carried
Martin picked up his revolver, lying on shelf
behind the bar. He heard the trigger click and
saw that the elder Powers was desperate.
Heuer said that he started for the door. fol-
lowed by Thomas Powers. Just as he got out
side, and while Thomas in the door, the
shot was fred and young Pc wers said, II am
shot"
Mr. Hener said that the elder Powers seemed
entirely unconcerned. and. after placing the
volver back on the shelf. assisted in getting his
son inside the door.
Merchant Policeman Walker standing in
front of the Grand Hotel just opposite the
saloon. when the shooting occurred. Mr. Walker
said he first had mis- attention attracted by some
loud talking in the saloon. From the voices he
judged the number of persons must
have been three or four. He stopped
to listen, and after few minutes
of quiet the quarrel was renewed. Then he
he heard something that sounded like blows.
A moment later the door of the saloon opened
suddenly and Fred Hener out. Thomas
Powers folio we'd him and had just reached the
door when the shot fred. He Thomas
stagger, and ran across the street to the saloon.
The only person inside the elder Powers.
He had placed the revolver in its accustomed
place and was offering his assistance in caring
for his Mr. Walker assisted in carrying
the wounded man up stairs over the saloon,
where he lives. and asked him who shot him.
The answer that man with black mus
tache did the shooting
Sergeant Sauers was also nearly opposite the
saloon at Sherman's restaurant and his story is
about the MI Walkers He says that
he passed the place few minutes before and
heard several men quarreling inside.
John T. Gatsy was half a square north of the
vhAv, k,H A. ~k-% e.
fast as his legs would carry him back to the
loon. and found Thomas staggering Oh the side
walk. Fred Hener was standing near him. and
the father standing inside the door.
Mr.. Gately helped Thomas inside the
door and asked him what
tine matter. The wounded man said be was
know" was the reply. The elder Powers offered
Thomas drink of water, but the young
shook his head and said. Not from you. won't
take drink" Mr. Gately took the glass, and
the wounded man drank
The wounded man was seen by Journal re-
porter after his wound had been dressed. II
have no statement to make said he; lit wasn't
father that shot me, though; it big man
with a black mustache. My father and had
had no trou nile"
Martin Powers arrested on the strength
of Fred Heiners statement and charged
with attempted murder. He did not seem be
the least disturbed when Journal reporter saw
him at the station house. II don't want to
make any statement" he said. when the
proper time comes l will tell what know about
''Did you fire the shots" was asked him.
81 did not" he replied.
"Do you know who did2'
81 don't know that l do. It was big man
with black mustache, who 1oafs around the
saloons great deal. think his name is Kelley.
l had just come in off my beat when
the fellow came in and wanted a drink. / told
him would sell more tonight. He in
sisted on having drink, and and Thomas
both told him he could not have any. He got
mad and struck me with a cane, and then shot
Thomas as he and Heiner were running out the
front door"
s'What became Of the man after the shoot
ingl'
Il think he went out the back door"
Mr. Powers also stated that he h ad never had
quarrel with his son in his life, and there was
reason why ne should attempt to kill him.
The father and son were together all day yes
terdav at the Irish picnic at haywood. and were
considerably under the influence of liquor. Sew
erai persons said, last night after the shooting
that they did not come homo from the picnic
until after o'clock and then direct
the saloon No could be found who
Powers on his beat during the evening, and it is
believed that he spsnt all his time there after he
came home until the shooting occurred. So far
as can be learned, the father and son have had
no serious trouble heretofore.
Two of the best officers on the police force
say that they will testify that Merchant Police
man Powers is not responsible for anything he
does and has not been for several years
The wounded man attended by Police
Surgeon Hodges and DIR. Marker. They pro-
nounce the wound very dangerous one. but re-
gard the chances for recovery as fair. The ball
they say, luckily avoided the vital
gans passing just between them.
The wounded man is twenty Eight years of age
and unmarried He has been in the saloon bus
the Merchant police force for twenty years